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2.6. The Hooghly estuarine islands
As may be seen from figure 2-9, the river Hooghly estuary is situated in between the western littoral
tracts and the eastern Sundarban region of the West Bengal delta. River Hooghly is the largest fresh
water discharge carrier as it gets water from many rivers that contribute their flows to it. There are a
few islands within the estuary of Hooghly which are inhabited, the largest and most famous of these
being the Sagar Island. It is also the largest of all the islands – around 209 sq. kms.
Figure 2-9. Important islands at river Hooghly estuary
Many linear sand banks parallel to the tidal flow s have elevated the flood of the Hooghly estuary,
which have some places developed into islands. Accumulation of finer sediments is enhanced with
the colonization of salt marsh plants and mangroves on the island surface. However, these islands
are intersected by many tidal creeks which convey the tide waters into the middle part of the island
during tidal flooding. Catastrophes like cyclones and associated storm surges, tidal waves, disastrous
floods destabilize the growth of islands in the estuary.